Tip for flexible drive shafts



June 21, 1932. HNEA 1,864,507

TIP FOR FLEXIBLE DRIVE SHAFTS Filed April 30, 1928 abbozwego Patented June 21, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT FFIQ AUGUSTE .IPINEAU', or FLINT, MICHIGAN, .assrenon'ro a o grime and canny,

pr FLINT, MICHIGAN, A COMPANY or ivrrcnrelm I I r1? roe FLEXIBLE, DRIVE SHAFTVS Application filed April 30,

r This invention relates to flexible cables and particularly to a tip forthe end of the cable at the point at which it'is attached to the working part. 1 a

In prior constructions flexible cables of the multi-strand type have had their ends squared or their strands deformed in various ways so that the end of the cable would not unravel or fray at the end. There has also been placed over the cable a collar or tube which has been swedged, pressed, or deformed onto the cable and the collar or tube then severed at its mid portion to form two tips which serve as a means for attaching the cable end to the working part' The present-invention is concerned with an improved tip or end on a multi-strand cable which will be an advance over prior constructions ofthis kind, and one which will be more readily applied and capable of adaptation to its working part in a very secure relation; r

The end of the flexible cable is preferably deformed to polygonal shape, or the strands otherwise caused to slightly adhere so that they will not unravel.- The tip portion, which is originally in the form of a stamped flat plate, is then applied to the cable end by bending and pressing the flat plate around the cable'and swedging, deforming or crushin-g'it thereon so as to cause the edges of the polygonal portion of the cable to be slightly embedded in the innerperiphery of the tip. This will cause a rigid adherence between the tip and cable and prevent theone from turning' with reference to the other.

The tip portion is provided with a pair of symmetrically arranged extensions so that when the tip is applied in its final or substantially cylindrical form, the extensions will be juxtaposed or placed side by sideand project away. from the cable so as toform a key or feather which may be inserted in a slot on the working part to which'the cable is applied. In addition, the plate edges also preferably project a short distance away from the cylindrical tip although they may be made toabut. i The invention is disclosed on' the accompanying drawing ion-which: I

192a Serial no. 274,023.

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the cable end with the tip applied, the parts being shown in their final or completed; position.

Figure 2 is asection on the section line of Figure 1, taken in the direction of-the arrows.

Figure 3' is a developmentof'thetip end, or a view of theplate before it is applied to the cable end. Y

Figure 4: is a sectional view showing the applicationof the flexible cable and tip to a speedometer drive. I a 1 Referringto the numbered partson the drawing the numeral "10 indicates a-flexible cable of the multi-strand type, 12 the tip portion applied tothe ends thereof, while 13 indicates the individual strands of the cable.

In Figure 3 there is shown a development of the'tip portion12 as it appears prior to its application to the cable end. Thistip portion, it will be noted is a substantiallyv flat rectangular plate and has'symmetrically arranged at its sides or edges 15 and 17 the extensions or projections 1a and 16 which, when the tip 12 is applied to the cable in its finished form, will form a key or feather 18 as is-shown indeta-il in-Figures 1 and 2. In its final position the plate 12 is in the form of a split collar with the extensi'onsl and 16 juxtaposed and projecting away from the outer periphery to form the key 18. The

edges 15 and 17 also preferably project slightly outward as is shown in Figure 1 although these edges may be caused to abutand leave a substantially smooth cylindrical surlface. I Y

The end 20 of the cable 10 is preferably squared in any suitable wa-y 'prior to the application of the tip 12. The purpose of this squaring is to obtain the sharp edges or corners 22 on the cable end and to prevent the individual strands from unravelling orkeep the end in an unfrayed condition. As is seen from Figure 2, when the tip '12 is placed on the end of the cable and the deforming or bending operation completed, the corners 22 will be caused to embed slightly into themner periphery 24 of the tip 12, as is shown -at26"inFigure2.f U j Anysuitable means maybe used to bend I or deform the tip 12 around the cable 10. Preferably prior to the bending of the tip 12 around the cable end, the projections or extensions 14 and 16 are suitably bent from the plane of the tip portion 12 so that when the tip is in its :finalL form the extensions 14 and 16;.wi'1l1assumeathe form shown in1.Figures 1 and 2., The plate 12 is preferably ap plied while cold but it may be heated if desire Figure 4 shows the-application of the invention to a speedometer drive. Inthisfigure the numeral 28 indicates an automobile shaft driven from the powerof .theengine in any suitable way. This shaft has applied thereto the worm wheel ;30 which umeshes with; a :wormi32 :fi xed on a shaft. 34, mounted .atrright' anglesto. the shaft 28 :in bearings '36 and.8r8. :Tllhebearing 38 ispreferably formed separately from the honsingAOffor. the; shaft 28, and is screw threaded into an opening 42, the diameter; of which :is of a-sizezsufliciently large tocpermit of. the insertion of the "worm wheel 32. A collar 41 is rigidly-:securedxzto the shaft-3lxandrabut-szagainst the endofithe hearing 38, to hold. the shaft 342 and 'worm 32 in position. i H jThe end-44! ofuthe shaft 84 is:;hollow as shown? at 4.6.' This hollowportionhas 5'8 slot onkeyway 418 whioh isof a. size adapted to rezceiveiithe feather orqkey 18, form ed:,-by: the overlapping projections 14 and 16-0f the tip :p0rtion3-12. V The :bearing-memberi; 38 istpreferably-2- exiternally screw threaded to: receive the; nut which: rigidly holds in position the: armor oroovering-52=offtheiflexible cable 10. This armor orycoveringzhas itsend bent :over. as .at154 which .bentoven-endisconfined between therend z0f the bearingland the nut 50.

f If :desired one: of the. projections. 14: 01216 maygbe omitted anfdthe remaining; projection allowed to formthekey 18. v T

:In: the construction -,as shown .the key 18 isplaced -nearer the [outer end of the ,zt-ipi 12: :however if desired: itrimay be placed: at the inner'end, .or tlIQTkQy .or; feathenanay extend theentire lengthof. the tip.

:Itrisalso within the'scopeof the invention .to construct; a-doiible tipby; forminga. single plate having two tip portions 12. This doub le; portiong'may ibebbent' from; its ifiat form onto the cable: zi 11 1305 its (cylindrical form and then-pressed, deformed .or swedged onto: the

cable andathe cableaand the: tip portion later severed-1 at: the mid portion of the tip, the divided two. finished tipi-ends each provided with a feather as shown'at18. lf'ade'sired the blank-may first be formedto thecylindrical I shapezand slipped over the-cable. EThepressing: .or :deforming v operation will. .then take place.

.-=.-Whi1ef the invention hasbeenshown-as applied to speedometer drives itrisuseful inia variety (if-relations; such:asinidentistshdnills,

etc., where power is transmitted by means of a flexible cable or shaft.

I claim:

1. In a flexible cable tip, a polygonal end on said cable, a member pressed against said cable to form a tip, the cornersofsaidpolyg- 011211; end, entering the member to .form a rigid connection between said cable and tip member. p

' 2. 'Ina-tip'for fiexible cables,- a polygonal end on saidcable, and a flat tip plate pressed around. said polygonal end in rigid relation therewith.

around said polygonal-end-in rigid relation therewith, and a ..keyor; feather formed by integral-extensions or projections on .said 'plate.

5. 1n: a tip for flexible. cables having a polygonal end,;a.flatrplate pressed-around said end ,intosubstantially cylindrical, form, the-edges of ithepolygonal end embedded in the interiorperiphery .Ofwthe plate, a .pluralityof- -,extensions on said plate, said-extensions bentat anflangle to the cylinder to ".i

forma .key or .feathenand the edges of said cylinder extending away from the periphery thereof, :said extensions extending along a portion-of the cylinders length-and juxtaposed :in theinfinal tposition.

:.6., In a. tip fora fiexiblecable: formedrofia plurality of :windingsofwire wound alternately. in opposite directions, comprising a flat metallic member pressed into-cylindrical: form "around and-completely surround- 1* .ing thevca'ble,andamcans on the tip forming. a keygiorz feather.

7. In a tip for a flexible. cable: formed of a plurality of windings of wire wound alternatelyiin opposite vdirections, comprising 'a fiat metallic;plate pressed ,into' cylindrical fform; around-the; cable to. formaa tip.

In a ,tip-tfor a flexibleicablef formed of'a pluralitywofvwindings of wireswound alternately; in opposite. directions; comprising :a fiat metallic plate pressed around-- and. completely: surrounding the: cable; and a 'key or featherjon said i tip 1 formed of integral pro- -j.ec.tions;or extensions of; said plate.

9 9. Ina tip forjailexible cableformed of a plurality: ofwindings :of wire :woundn alternately. in opposite directions, comprising a flat metallic plate pressed around. and :com- .pletely surrounding the cable,%;and*a keyor feather formed on;saidti'p,said'keyorfeather formed of symmetrical integral extensions or projections formed on the plate side, said extensions or projections being juxtaposed in the final position of the tip on the cable to form the key or feather.

10. In a tip for flexible cables formed of a plurality of windings of Wire wound alternately in opposite directions, comprising a substantially cylindrical collar surrounding the cable end and split along its entire length, and a key or feather integrally formed on said collar.

11. In a tip for a flexible cable formed of a plurality of windings of wire wound alternately in opposite directions, comprising a flat metallic plate pressed around the cable end into substantially cylindrical form to completely surround the cable, and a key or feather formed of an integral portion of said plate and extending axially of said tip for a portion only of its length.

12. In a tip for flexible cables formed of a plurality of windings of wire wound alternately in opposite directions, comprising a collar completely surrounding the cable and split in an axial direction along its entire length, and a key or feather at the split portion integral with said collar.

13. In a tip for flexible cables formed of a plurality of windings of wire wound alternately in opposite directions, comprising a collar split along its entire length in an axial direction and completely surrounding the cable, and a key or feather on said collar comprising a plurality of juxtaposed projections on said collar extending in an axial direction for a portion only of the length thereof.

14:. In a tip for a flexible cable formed of a plurality of windings of wire wound alternately in opposite directions comprising a fiat metallic plate pressed into substantially cylindrical form around the cable, and a key or feather on said tip and extending axially of said tip for a portion of its length and spaced from the ends thereof, said key formed from integral extensions of said plate.

15. In a tip for a flexible cable formed of a plurality of windings of wire wound alternately in opposite directions, comprising a substantially cylindrical collar split along the entire length thereof.

In testimony whereof I aifix my signature.

AUGUSTE PINEAU. 

